hang on or climber tree stand

[TGbow]

I sold all my stands about 10 yrs ago. I've hunted 90% on the ground for 40 plus years so I figured I might as well sell them.
Been debating on getting me another climber but honestly on the public land I hunt I seem to be able to hide better on the ground.
 
Around here the deer seem to look up more than they do on the ground.
If I were going to get a climber, I would get the XOP Strike Force.
My son has one and it will fit smaller trees than the climbers I've had in the past.
If I lived in an area where straight trees are scarce I'd go with a hang on for public land.

[TGbow]

I sold all my stands about 10 yrs ago. I've hunted 90% on the ground for 40 plus years so I figured I might as well sell them.
Been debating on getting me another climber but honestly on the public land I hunt I seem to be able to hide better on the ground.
 
Around here the deer seem to look up more than they do on the ground.
If I were going to get a climber, I would get the XOP Strike Force.
My son has one and it will fit smaller trees than the climbers I've had in the past.
If I lived in an area where straight trees are scarce I'd go with a hang on for public land.

[Meflyfisherman]

If I think I am even remotely within earshot of where deer are bedding I opt for the hang on as they are way quieter to creep into.  These are my go to stand in areas that I have hunted before and know where the deer will be moving.  Advantage of a climber if the right trees are around is that you can reposition with a lot less effort.  Start with a climber if your budget is limited but try to pick up some used hang ons with sticks in good condition as soon as you can.  As others have mentioned, your options for choosing the best concealed spot increase dramatically.

[no]

I almost always use a climber(summitt), rarely cant get in the right tree. I like hang ons but after just 1-2 set ups I get tendonitous in my elbows so bad that I cant shoot. Its awful to to get older & not do stuff anymore. Mike

I used a Summit climber off and on for a number of years.  I can thank it for at least 5 deer.  I never shot a deer from , I shot all of the deer sneaking to and from my tree stand.  It was a pain to carry and I would leave it hang, but it was a comfortable place to sit while i was out there..  My son called it 'the widow maker'.   One year, hunting a new area, I left it on the tree over noon, when I went into a nearby town for lunch.  Someone did me a favor and stole the seat climber off of it.  Years ago I had a Baker, I was standing and while watching a small buck circle me, i stepped too close to the tree. It came undone and dropped me about six feet from the twelve that I was originally at, before it re-grabbed the tree.  Talk about spring action, I did a full gainer with a half twist and am proud to say I stuck the landing like a pro.

[hnt2mch]

may oughta check the regulations lot of the public huntng does not allow for the use of hang on stands unless you put em up and take them down the same day

[ChuckC]

I have both but I have used a hang on all my life.  I personally would use a hang on.  I can use them in any tree, where you just can't find all that many in the right spot for a climber in the marshes I hunt.  All that said.... I agree with the ghillie suit crowd.  I think that is the next big thing for bow hunters.  They work and they are generally safer.

[Orion]

Depends on the type of trees that predominate in your area.  It's aspen and birch where I hunt, so a climber works well.  For me, the climber is faster to set up and take down, but I also use hang ons.

I hunt a lot of public land.  Like others, I often take the bottom step bar or two with me when I leave a hang on stand in the tree.  Can put on both step bars from the ground very quickly when I return. I do chain and lock any stand I leave in the tree for a few days.  Haven't had any stolen yet, but not a lot of hunters where I hunt, and I usually go in pretty far.

I use Lone Wolfs. XOP is basically the same stand, a little less costly.

[Lugnut93]

I would suggest getting a climbing stand first. It is much faster/easier (and more comfortable) for me than a hang on. With that being said, I prefer to hunt out of a hang on for the versatility they offer.